Water-heater.



I. J. OMALLBY! WATER HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED 16.26, 1908.

Patented June 7,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I. J. OMALLEY.

WATER HEATER.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 26, 1908.

960,387. Patented June 7,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

"In u 4 as Zf il/wooees T7106 7250 A UNIED ST IRA J. oMALLEY,OFICHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Beit known that I 'IRA J. OMALLEY, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Improvements in Tater-Heaters,of which the following is a specification.

The primary object of this invention is to automatically shut off thegas supply to the heater whenever the pilot light is accidentallyextinguished, and to keep it shut off regardless of the operation of thewater valve until the parts are reset by hand.

Another object of the invention is to automatically shut OK the supplyof gas to the pilot burner whenever the pilot light is accidcntallyextinguished.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated the invention embodiedwith an automatic valve and thermostat mechanism of known constructionand referring thereto Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing, aportion of the jacket. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view showing thewater regulating valve. Fig. 3 is a detail enlarged sectional view ofthe radiator. Fig; 4. is a sectional View, on the line 44 of Fig. l andillustrating the lower part of the heater and the devices for closingthe pilot light gas valve. Figs. 5 and Gare detail enlarged sectionalviews showing the devices for closing the pilot light gas valve.

Referring to the drawings, 7 is the jacket of the heater which inclosesa battery of gas burners 8 of any suitable construction and a superposedwater 0011 9. A water valve 10 is interposed in the coldwater pipe 11 Ywhich is provided with a regulating valve 12 and connects with the upperend of the coil at 13. The water valve ismounted on a bracket letattached to the jacket 7 and it has an inlet port 10, an outlet port 10and a plunger 15. The stem 15 of the plunger projects through astuiiingbox15 and a spring 16 is arranged to operate on the plunger tohold itnormally against the end stop 16 and closing the outlet port 10".A

I valve casing 17 is arranged in the gas supply pipe 18 and it containsa main gas valve 20 normally held in closed position by the spring- 21anda thermostat gas valve 22 normally open. The stem 20 of the main gasvalve extends through the hollow stem 22 of the thermostat gas valve andboth Sp'ecifica'tion of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 26, 1908. Serial No. 450,265.

WATER-HEATER.

Patented June '7 1910.

stems project through the valve casing 17 to a position separated frombut inopposition to the stem 15 of the water valve.

A thermostat comprising an outer tube 23 is connected by branch 23 tothe outlet of the hot water coil and an expansion tube 24 plugged at itsupper end is arranged within the tube 23 and screwed into the lower endthereof. A porcelain rod 25 is arranged within the expansion tube and isprovided at its lower end with.a pin 25 which extends through thefitting 26 at the lower end of the outer tube 23 and made integral withthe bracket 14. This fitting 26 has two parallel downward projections 26on which the thermostat levers 27 and 28 are fulcrumed at 27 and 28respectively. The lever 27 has an adjusting screw stop 29 to engage thepin 25 and another adjusting screw stop .30 to engage the lever 28. Thelower end 28" of the lever 28 engages a collar 31 on the stem 22 of thethermostat gas valve 22. A spring 31 is arranged on the stem 22 betweensaid collar 31 and the gas valve casing 17. The upper end of thethermostatconnects with the hot water outlet pipe 32. The cold waterpipe 11 is connected by a branch 33 with the upper end of .the outertube 23 of the thermostat and a check valve 34 is arranged in thisbranch."

This check valve will close the branch 33 under the pressure of the coldwater flowing through pipe 11 when hot water is being drawn from theoutlet pipe 32, to admit cold water to'the coil, but if no hot water isbeing drawn from the outlet pipe 32 the check Valve remains in theposition illustr'ated in l to permit a circulation through thethermostat, branch-33, and the water coil. This arrangement provides foracirculation of the waterin the event of the burners remaining lightedwhen no water is being drawn, and such circulation carries the hot waterfrom the lower .end of the coil into the. outer tube of the thermostat,thereby heating the thermostat and causing the latter to shut off. thegas.

vided with ports 34 so that the cold water supply to the'coil will notbe entirely shut off when these valves are closed, and thls The checkvalve and the water valve plunger may be -pro-' also provides for anexpansion of the water force the valve 38 normally against its seat andthis valve is carried by a stem 39 which projects outward through thevalve casing 40 and is pivotally connected at 39 to one end of a lever41 which is fulcrumed on an arm 41 supported on the valve casing 40 '46of non-heat conducting material.

(Fig. 6). A trigger 42 is pivotally connected at 42 to the other end ofthe lever 41 and its head 43 is arranged to engage a shoulder 43 on thebracket- 14. When the trigger is engaged with the shoulder the valve 38will be held open as shown in Fig. 6. A fluid chamber 44 is arrangedabove the pilot burner and is provided with an inlet pipe 45 and anoutlet pipe 46, the latter being preferably provided with a covering Thepipe 45 connects with the bottom of a radiator 47 (Fig. 3) and the pipe46 projects upward in the radiator to discharge therein at some suitablepoint above its bottom. By thus arranging the discharge end of the pipe46 above the bottom of the radiator I avoid discharging the hot fluidtherein into the cooler fluid at the bottom of the radiator .whichcirculates through the pipe 45 to the it cup-shape as shown in Fig. 4. Arelief valve 47 is preferably provided at the top of the radiator. Thepipe 45 has a branch 45 which connects with a pressure chamber 48 inwhich a diaphragm 49 or other pressure'operated device is suitablysecured. A stem 50 is connected to the diaphragm and a sprin 51 isarranged on the stem and acts on the diaphragm in opposition to thepressure in the chamber 48. Instead of the diaphragm I may use any othermeans adapted to actuate the stem 50 in a similar manner and for thesame purpose. The upper end of the stem is provided with a horizontalsleeve 50- which holds a movable shuttle 52 arranged between the oposing ends of the water valve stem 15 an the main gas valve stem 20(Fig. 5). a A push bar 53 is pivoted at 53 on the stem 50 and isarranged to en gage the trigger 42 to disengage the latter from theshoulder 43'.

. Let it be assumed that the heater is in condition for use with theradiator and the coil and the pressure of the .cold water will forceback the plunger 15 and close the check valve 34, thus closing theconnection between the thermostat and the cold water inlet to the coil.When the plunger 15 is moved by the pressure of the cold water to theright in Fig.1.the stem 15 will move the shuttle 52 against the stem 20"of the main gas valve and open the latter to admit gas to the vmainburners which will immediately ignite from the pilot and heat the waterin the coil. When the drawing off of hot water is stopped the plunger 15moves to the left in Fig. 1 closing the outlet port 10" and permittingthe main gas valve to. close, thereby shutting off gas to the mainburners. At the-same time the check valve 34 opens. If the hot water isdrawn off slowly or if for any reason the water in the coil reaches a'temperature exceeding the predetermined degree the thermostat willoperate to permit the lower end of the lever 28 to be forced to the leftin Fig. 1 by the spring 31' to close the valve 22 which shuts off thesupply of gas to the main burners. The therwater is heated to thepredetermined degree.

It sometimes happens that the pilot. light is extinguished accidentallyby a draft or by a reduction of gas pressure. My invention automaticallyshuts off the supply ofgas to the burners whenever the pilot light isextinguished accidentally so as to avoid the escape of gas which mayaccumulate and produce an explosion when an attempt is made to relightthe pilot burner or the main burners or to investlgate the source oftrouble. This I have accomplished by the devices hereinbefore describedand comprising the shuttle which is normally arranged between the stemof the water valve plunger and the stem of the main gas valve tocommunicate the movement of the former to the latter as heretoforedescribed. The shuttle is supported in this position by the pressure inchamber 48, which is maintained by heat from the pilot light. Then thepilot light is extinguished and the pressure in chamber 48 diminishesthe spring 51 pushes the stem valve. When the trigger is thus engagedthe push bar is lifted and allowed to rest upon the trigger. The pilotburner is lighted and the heat therefrom-causes the water in thecirculatingsystcm through chamber 44 to expand and produce suflicientpressure in chamber 48 to raise the stem 50 until. the shuttle is againlocated in operative position between stemsffl15 and 20'. As the stem 50rises the push bar is dragged across the head of the trigger and dropsinto position behind vice of simple character which can be readilyapplied to hot water heaters of different kinds, and itmay be used inconnection with a thermostat as herein described or without thethermostat. It insures'the shutting ofi' of the gas supply to theburners whenever the pilot light is extinguished accidentally and inthis way it eliminates a source of objection and trouble to Waterheaters of this class because of the apparent impossibility of avoidingthe accidental extinguishment of the pilot light, when the heater is notunder observation, by drafts or decrease of gas pressure, or otherwise.Evenif the water valve is opened after the gas has thus beenautomatically shut off the gas will not then be turned on because thestem 15 of ters Patent is 1. In a Water heater, the combination of apilot burner, a gas supply pipe leading thereto, and positivelycirculating fluid pressure controlled means outside of the pilot burnerfor automatically shutting oil? the gas supply from the pilot burnerwhen the pilot light is extinguished.

2. In a Water heater, the combination of a pilot burner, a gas supplypipe leading there to, a circulating fluid pressure controlled meansheated by the pilot. light for automatically shutting off the gas supplyfrom the pilot burner Whenthe pilot light is extinguished, and means forcooling said pressure 1 3. In a water heater,the combination of anintermittently and automatically oper: ated main burner, and arelatively continuously lighted pilot burner, gassupply pipes for saidburners, a positively circulating fluid system heated by the pilotlight, and

' means operated by said system for shutting off the gas supply to theburners when the pilot light is extinguished.

4. In awater heater, the combination of an intermittently andautomatically operated main burner and a relatively continuously lightedpilot burner, gas supply pipes for the burners, a positivelycirculatingv fluid system heated by the pilot light and comprismg anexpansion-chamber, pressuremeans in said chamber, and means operated bysaid pressure means for shutting off the gas supply when the pilot lightis extinguished.

5. In a water heater, the combination of a pilot burner, 'a gas supplypipe leading. thereto, a valve in said pipe, means for holding saidvalve open, a positive circulating fluid system heated by the pilotlight, and means operated by said system for releasing said holdingmeans when the pilot light is extinguished to permit said valve to'closeand shutoff the gas supply to the pilot burner.

6. In a water heater, the combination of an intermittently andautomatically operated main burner and a relatively continuously lightedpilot burner, a gas supply pipe to the main burners, a gas supply pipeto the pilot burner, a valve in each of said pipes, means for holdingthe pilot burner gas valve open, means for opening the main burnervalve, a circulating fluid system heated by the pilot light, and meansoperated by said system when the pilot light is extinguished to closesaid pilot burner valve and prevent the main burner valve from opening.

7. In a Water heater, the combination of a pilot burner, a gas supplypipe leading thereto, a valve ins-aid pipe, a shoulder, a

trigger connected to said valve and adapted supply to the pilot burner.-

8. In a water heater, the combination of a pilot burner, a gas supplypipe leading thereto, a spring actuated valve in said pipe, a shoulder,a trlgger connected to said valve and adapted to be engaged with saidshoulder to hold the valve open, a push-bar, a circulating fluid systemheated by the pilot light and adapted by expansion of the fluid underinfluence of heattrom the pilot light to hold said push b'ar out ofoperative engagement with the trigger and to operate said push bar bycontraction of the fluid when the pilot hght is extinguished to releasethe trigger from engagement with the shut off the gas supply to thepilot burner.

9. In a water heater, the combination of a pilot burner, a gas supplypipe leading thereto, a circulating fluid system heated by the pilotlight and comprisin a pressure stemvconncct-ed to said diaphragm, aspringon sa d stem actlng on the diaphragm agamst the pressure in saldchamber, and

chamber, a diaphragm insai chamber, a J

' pressure to said chamber.

means operated by said stem to shut ofl'the gas supply to the pilotburner when the pilot light is extinguished. 4 r

10. In a water heater, the combination of the main burners, a gas supplypipe leading thereto, a gas valve in said pipe, means for operating saidable shuttle, an means for withdrawing the shuttle to prevent the mainburner gas valve from beingopened. 11. In a water heater, thecombination of the main burner, a gas supply pipe leading thereto, avalve in said "pipe, means for operating said valve comprising a watervalve, a stem for the gas valve, and a movable shuttle, means forholding the shuttle in operative position between the water valve andthe stem, and pressure operated means for withdrawing said shuttle outof operative position. v 1 12. In a water heater, the combination of themain burner, a gas supply pipe leading thereto, a valve in said pipe,means for operating said valve comprising a shuttle, a stem carryingsaid shuttle, a pressure chamber, a diaphragm in said chamber for,operating the stem, and means for supplying 13. In awater heater, thecdmbinat-ion'of the main burner, a gas supply pipe leading thereto, agas valve in said pipe, acold water supply pipe, a valve in said waterpipe, stems for said gas and water valves arranged in opposition to eachother, a shuttle normally arranged in position between said stems forcommunicating the movement of the water valve stem to the gas valvestem, and means for withdrawing the shuttle from position between thestems.

14. In a water heater, t-he combination of the main burner and the pilotburner, gas

, supply. pipes to said burners, a gas valve 111 each pipe, a triggerconnected to the pilot burner valve and adapted to hold said valveopen,means for openin the main burner valve comprising-a shutt e, and meansautomatically operated when the pilot light is extinguished forreleasing said trigger to close the pilot burner valve and withdraw--ing said shuttle to gas valve comprismg a mov prevent the .main burnervalve from opening. 7 v

p 15. In-a waterheater, the combination of a main burner and a pilotburner,'gas supply pipes to said burners, a valve in each pipe, atrigger engaged with said pilot burner valve and adapted to hold thesame' open, means for operating the main burner valve comprising ashuttle, a stem carrying said shuttle, a push bar on said stem to engagethe trigger, andpressure operated means for moving the stem to withdrawthe shuttle from operative position and for causing the push bar torelease the trigger.

16. In a water heater, the combination of a main burner and a pilotburner, gas supply pipes for the burners, manually operated valvemechanism for turning on the gas to the pilot burner independently ofthe main 1 In a water heater, the combination of i a ma'in'burner and apilot burner, gas supply pipes for the burners, automatic mechanism forturning on gas to the main burner when water is drawn from the heater,positively circulating fluid pressure controlled means for automaticallyand simultaneously shutting oil the gas supply from the pilot burner andpreventing the gas from being turned on to the main burner when thepilot light is extinguished, manually operated means for turning on' gasto the pilot burner independently of the main burner; and meansep'endent upon the heat from the pilot light for automatically restorinsaid automatic valve mechanism to operative position when the pilotburner is re-lighted. L IRA J. OMALLEY.

' -Witnesses:

WM. 0. BE T, PAUL L.r ScHMEoHEL.

